Needle holder

ABSTRACT

A medical needle holder ( 10 ) having a generally hollow body ( 18 ) which extends in the direction of an axis ( 62 ) from a first end ( 20 ) to a second end ( 22 ). The first end is shaped for reception of a needle ( 50 ) therein and the second end is open to allow for insertion of a fluid receptacle ( 16 ). The first axis is substantially aligned in use with a needle positioned in the first end of the body. The needle holder comprises a grip portion ( 28 ) which extends outwardly from the body in a direction which is angularly offset from the first axis. The grip portion may be actuable between an in-use condition and a disposal condition in which the grip portion covers a needle in the needle holder. The body ( 18 ) may comprise control formations on its inner surface to allow for control over the insertion of a fluid receptacle ( 16 ) into the body.

The present invention relates to a needle holder and more particularly,although not exclusively, to a holder for a medical needle which may beused for insertion of a needle into a vessel of a patient.

It is known to provide a needle holder to support a needle for insertioninto a vessel of a patient. A needle holder also provides a supportstructure, by which one or more further members may be held in fluidcommunication with the vessel via the needle.

Such needle holders are used, for example, when drawing blood from apatient. A conventional holder takes the form of a generally tubularstructure having an open end and a formation at the opposing end forreception of a needle. The needle is typically held by the holder partway along its length such that needle extends part way into the tubularportion of the holder.

Using this arrangement, a further member can be inserted into the openend of the tubular structure so as to form a fluid connection with theneedle within the holder.

Such an arrangement is described for example in International PatentApplication PCT/US2007/026111 (published as WO2008/085393).

When taking blood from a patient, a phlebotomist will typically insertthe free end of the needle into a blood vessel, such as a vein, andsubsequently insert an evacuated tube or vial into the open end of theholder for communication with the opposing end of the needle. Thenegative pressure in the collection tube draws blood through the needle.The tube is subsequently removed and sealed so as to provide a bloodsample. Further tubes may be connected in turn depending on the numberof discrete samples or volume of fluid to be drawn.

It has been noted by the inventor that a phlebotomist will typicallyinsert the needle using their preferred hand, depending on whether theyare right or left-handed, since careful positioning of the needle isrequired for insertion into a desired blood vessel. However thephlebotomist will often swap hands in order support the needle holderwith their other hand whilst picking up and inserting a blood collectiontube. Such a procedure is awkward and can disturb the needle.

Furthermore, the connection of a tube to the needle conventionallyrequires the tube to be pushed against the needle in the direction ofthe needle axis so as to puncture a seal on the tube. The seal willtypically resist the manual application of such a force in a generallypredictable manner up to the point of yield, at which point theresistance offered by the seal suddenly diminishes. Again, this can leadto movement of the needle, which can cause the free end of the needle beremoved from the blood vessel.

Once the desired sample has been collected, a phlebotomist is requiredto both support the needle holder and remove the tube there-from. Thisaction can disturb the needle if the holder is not adequately supported.

Any movement and/or subsequent repositioning of the needle for the abovereasons is generally undesirable and can cause discomfort to thepatient.

It has also been observed that a blood vessel, such as a vein, cancollapse when blood is drawn, with has the effect of reducing the depthof the blood vessel. This increases the accuracy with which the needlemust be positioned and held in order to remain in the vessel.Repositioning of the needle may be required in such an event.

Once removed from the patient, the exposed needle also poses a hazard tothe phlebotomist or subsequent handlers.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved needleholder which mitigates one or more of the above-described problems. Itmay be considered to be an aim of the present invention to provide aneedle holder which is less susceptible to unwanted movement in use.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided aneedle holder having a generally hollow body which extends in thedirection of a first axis from a first end shaped for reception of aneedle therein to a second end which is open, the first axis beingsubstantially aligned in use with a needle positioned in the first endof the body, wherein the needle holder comprises a grip portion whichextends outwardly from the body in the direction of a second axis, thesecond axis being angularly offset from the first axis.

The provision of a grip portion of this type has been found to allow forimproved manual support and positioning of the needle holder relative toa patient. The improved level of support is particularly beneficial inthe event that it is required to connect or move other members relativeto the open end of the needle holder in use. One application for such aneedle holder is for drawing fluid from a patient.

The first axis may be an axis of revolution of the hollow body. Theangular offset between the first and second axis may be greater than 30°and typically greater than 45°. The second axis may be substantiallyperpendicular to the first axis. The grip portion may extendsubstantially radially outwardly from the first axis. In one embodimentthe grip portion may be shaped or oriented such that it is sloped orangled towards the second end of the body. The grip portion may dependfrom the region of the first end of the body. The grip portion may havegrip formations, such as, for example, one or more depressions, whichface forward or towards the first end of the body. The grip portion mayhave opposing sides with opposing grip formations. The grip portion maybe sloped at its front edge.

In use, the grip portion is positioned such that it can be comfortablyheld, for example, between a thumb and finger of a user from the front(or needle end) of the holder. In this manner the holder can besupported by hand close to the point at which a needle is inserted to apatient, leaving the second, rear end of the holder free and easilyaccessible. Supporting the needle in this manner naturally resistsforces which may be applied in use in the direction of the needle axis.The rearward slope of the grip is also beneficial in that the needleholder is generally held at an angle relative to a patient's skin. Thusthe grip portion may extend generally perpendicularly from the patient'sbody in the vicinity of the point of insertion of the needle, when theneedle holder is oriented for use.

The angular offset between the grip portion and the body may becomplimentary with the angle at which the needle or needle holder istypically oriented for use. This angle of use may vary between differentuses but is typically between 10° and 40°, such that the angular offsetbetween the first and second axes is between 50° and 90°.

The grip portion may be substantially hollow and/or open-sided. The gripportion may be open towards the first end of the body.

In one embodiment, the needle holder comprises a guard member having aguide surface adapted to rest against a patient's skin. The first end ofthe body may be arranged to provide a needle holding formation whichholds a needle in a fixed orientation relative to the guide surface. Theguard member may depend from the body. The guard member may protrudefrom the body in a direction different to or opposite to that of thegrip portion. The guide surface may be offset from the first axis bybetween 10° and 40°. The guard member and/or guide surface may be oflength between a quarter and three quarters of the length of the body.The guard member and/or guide surface may protrude forwardly of thefirst end of the body. A plurality of guard members may be provided. Apair of guard members may be provided on opposing sides of a needleholding formation at the first end of the body.

The guard members both facilitate insertion of the needle and alsosupport the needle in a desired orientation once inserted. Thecombination of the guard member and grip portion provide for a needleholder which is less prone to unwanted movement during use.

In one embodiment the body is shaped to receive a fluid receptacle. Thebody may be shaped to form a releasable push-fit or friction-fitconnection with a fluid receptacle. The body may have one or morereceptacle reception formations thereon. The body may be generallytubular in shape.

The first end of the body may comprise an end wall having an openingtherein for reception of a needle. The end wall may comprise aconnection formation about said opening which may comprise a neck orcollar.

According to one embodiment, the grip portion may be actuable relativeto the body between a first condition in which the grip portion extendsin the direction of the second axis and a second condition in which thegrip portion is arranged about the first axis. The first condition maycomprise an in-use condition. The second condition may comprise astorage or disposal condition.

The needle holder may be made safe before or after use by orienting thegrip portion in the second condition. The grip portion may be pivotallyor slidably mounted to the body portion. One of the grip portion or bodymay comprise one or more pivot formations. The other of the grip portionand body may comprise a corresponding recess for reception of the pivotformation.

The grip portion may comprise opposing side walls and an adjoining wallthere-between. One side of the grip portion may be open. The gripportion may be moveable relative to the body in use such that a needlecan pass through the open side of the grip portion. A needle attached tothe body may be disposed between the side walls of the grip portion inthe second position.

The needle holder may comprise a releasable fastener for maintaining thegrip portion in the first condition. The grip portion or body maycomprise a catch or latch.

The needle holder may comprise a fastener for maintaining the gripportion in the second condition. This fastener may comprise a non-returnfastener, which may take the form of a formation on the grip portion orbody. The formation may comprise a recess or stop member having a firstramped surface to allow relative movement between the grip member andbody in a first direction and a second surface which is arranged toprevent return motion once the grip portion has achieved the secondcondition. The second surface may comprise a stop surface.

In one embodiment, the needle holder has one or more control formations.The, or each, control formation may be formed on an inner surface of thebody. The, or each, control formation may be shaped for cooperation withone or more corresponding formations on a fluid receptacle to beinserted into the body in use. The, or each, control formation may bearranged obliquely to the first axis. The, or each, control formationmay be arranged to limit the degree of axial movement available to thefluid receptacle within the body. The, or each, control formation may bearranged to convert a rotational force or torque applied to the fluidreceptacle into motion of the fluid receptacle relative to the body inthe direction of the first axis.

The, or each, control formation may be generally helical in shape andmay comprise a portion of a helix. The, or each, control formation maycomprise a thread or partial thread formation. A plurality of controlformations may be provided about an inner circumferential wall of thebody. The start of one control formation may overlap in acircumferential direction with the end of an adjacent control formation.

The use of such control formations can avoid the need for the fluidreceptacle, such as, for example, an evacuated tube, to be pushed in thedirection of the needle axis in order to puncture the receptacle seal.Instead the receptacle can be actuated in a rotational sense to breakthe seal and thereby avoid or minimise unwanted axial movement of theneedle in use. The orientation of the control formations means that thecomponent of the applied force in the direction of the first axis is, atleast in part, resolved within the body by a corresponding reactionforce such that it is not communicated to the needle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda needle device comprising a needle holder according to the first aspectand a needle or needle assembly attached to the needle holder such thatthe needle extends substantially in the direction of the first axis froma free end which is outside of the body to an opposing end which is inthe interior of the body.

The needle or needle assembly may be supported part way along its lengthby the first end of the body.

A fluid receptacle may be insertable into the second end of the needleholder body in use. The fluid receptacle may be evacuated or partiallyevacuated.

Alternatively the fluid receptacle may contain fluid to be administeredto a patient and may be positively pressurised. The fluid receptacletypically has a seal which is arranged to be punctured by the end of theneedle in use. The seal may be formed of a resilient material such thatit coapts with the needle once punctured so as to form a seal around theneedle once punctured.

The fluid receptacle may have corresponding control formations forcooperation with control formations on the needle holder body.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda needle holder having a generally hollow body which extends in thedirection of an axis from a first end shaped for reception of a needletherein to a second end which is open, the first axis beingsubstantially aligned in use with a needle positioned in the first endof the body, wherein the body comprises an inner surface having acontrol formation thereon, said control formation being arrangedobliquely to the axis so as to control travel of a fluid receptaclealong the body in the direction of the axis in use.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a fluidreceptacle having one or more control formations thereon whichcorrespond to the control formation on the body of the needle holderaccording to the thirst aspect.

Any, or any combination of, the needle holder, the needle and/or thefluid receptacle of the third or fourth aspects may comprise any of theoptional features defined above in relation to the first or secondaspects.

Practicable embodiments of the invention are described in further detailbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a needle holder according toone embodiment of the present invention with a needle and fluidreceptacle attached thereto for use;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded three-dimensional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of a needle holder according to asecond embodiment of the present invention with a needle and fluidreceptacle attached thereto for use;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded three-dimensional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 in an in-usecondition;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 in a disposalcondition;

FIG. 7 shows a three-dimensional view of a needle holder according to athird embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 8 shows three stages of actuation of a needle holder and fluidreceptacle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The invention provides for a needle holder and associated needle devicehaving formations for improved support and/or actuation during use. Theneedle holder and device are particularly suited to phlebotomyapplications, although other applications involving the drawing ordelivery of fluids to vessels within the body may be encompassed.

Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a device 10, in use, generallycomprising a needle holder 12, a needle assembly 14 and a fluidreceptacle 16.

The needle holder 12 comprises a generally tubular body portion 18having a first end 20 and an opposing end 22. The first end 20 comprisesan end wall which has a central opening within which the needle assembly14 is insertable. The end wall has a collar formation 24 protrudingoutwardly there-from to aid correct alignment and retention of theneedle assembly in the needle holder in use.

The opposing end 22 is open so as to define an opening which isgenerally circular in plan. The opening leads to an internal passagewithin the body portion which is of substantially constant diameteralong its length. A flange 26 is provided about the opening at end 22.

A grip portion 28 depends from the body portion 12 and is spaced fromthe end 22 of the body portion. The grip portion 28 comprises opposingside walls 30 and 32, a top wall 34 and a rear wall 36. The top and rearwalls adjoin the side walls of the grip portion so as to define apartially enclosed space within the grip portion. In this regard thegrip portion is open to the front or first end 20 of the needle holder.

The side walls 30 and 32 are arranged on either side of the collar 24and the needle assembly 14 therein. The side walls 30, 32 have opposinggrip formations therein, which take the form of a depression in eachside wall. Each depression is curved in shape and extends from a leadingedge of the corresponding side wall rearward and terminates a shortdistance from the rear wall 36. Accordingly, each grip formation may beconsidered to face forward (i.e. towards the needle end of the device).

The side walls 30, 32 are shaped so as to protrude forward of the bodyportion end wall 20. The side walls 30, 32 extend from a location abovethe body portion in use generally downwardly on opposing sides of thebody portion 18 and terminate below the body portion at guide surfaces40. The portion of the side walls extending forwardly and below the bodyportion 18 can be considered to constitute guard members 38, thefunction of which will be described below. The guard members may beshaped to provide a ridge of material at the guide surface 40 such thatthe width of the guide surface is greater than that of the remainder ofthe guard member 38. Such a ridge of material may be considered toconstitute a foot portion which extends along a majority of the lengthof the guard members 38.

The guard members are shaped such that the guide surfaces 40 areapproximately a third of the length of the assembled device. Between aquarter and a half of the length of the guide surfaces 40 may protrudeforwardly of the body end 20.

The grip portion 28, including the side walls 30, 32 and correspondingguard members 38 may be integrally formed with the body portion, forexample by a moulding process. The needle holder 12 is typically formedof a plastics material. In an alternative embodiment, the body portion18 and grip portion 28 could be formed separately and subsequentlyattached together for use.

A fluid receptacle 16 is inserted into the open end 22 of the bodyportion 18 for use. In this embodiment, the fluid receptacle 16 takesthe form of a tube or vial which is closed at one end 42 and capable ofholding fluid therein. Towards the end 43 of the fluid receptacle 16which is insertable into the needle holder 28, there is provided acollar 44 having a plurality of friction members in the form of splines46 longitudinally aligned with the tube 26.

At the end 43 there is provided a seal member in the form of a bung orstopper 48 so as to seal the interior of the tube from the outside. Thebung 48 is typically formed of a resilient, elastic material, which maydisplay rubber-like physical properties.

The fluid receptacle in this embodiment is at least partially evacuatedsuch that the pressure in the receptacle is lower than ambient. Such areceptacle is used to draw fluid, typically blood, from a vessel, suchas a vein. However the present invention may also be used in conjunctionwith fluid receptacles which are not evacuated. Such alternativereceptacles may be filled or partially filled with fluid to beadministered to a patient and may take the form of cartridges, tubes,vials or the like. Such receptacles may be positively pressurised.

The needle assembly 14 comprises a needle 50 having first 51 and second52 ends. An attachment formation 54 is fixed about the needle 50 partway along its length and comprises a stop member 56 for abutment againstcollar 24 in use and a fixture 58 arranged for insertion into the collar24 so as to hold the needle fast against the body 18 in use. The fixturemay comprise a screw thread or other similar fixing formation which maycorrespond to the interior surface of the collar 24.

A sheath 60 extends rearward of the attachment formation 54 and coversthe portion of the needle behind the formation 54. The sheath is formedof a polymer material. The rearward end 52 of the needle 14 isinsertable into the needle holder 12 and the tube 16 in use.

The needle 51, when assembled, and the associated axis 62 is at an angletypically between 10 and 20° degrees from plane of the guide surfaces40. In this embodiment, the angle is substantially 15°.

When the device 10 is assembled as shown in FIG. 1, the needle assembly,body portion 18 and fluid receptacle 16 are all aligned with a commonaxis 62 (shown in FIG. 2), which extends substantially along the lengthof the needle 50 and which provides a generally central axis for theinternal cavity of the body portion 18 and the fluid receptacle 16.

The needle end 51 is considered to be facing forwards and the ends 22and 42 of the needle holder 12 and fluid receptacle 16 respectively areconsidered to face rearwards. In the orientation shown, the top surface34 is considered to be uppermost and the guide surfaces 40 the lowersurfaces of the device. It will be appreciated that all references tosuch orientations and directions are specific to one preferredorientation of the device only and are used merely to aid a reader inunderstanding the relative features of the device and its use. Suchterms should be construed accordingly in the event that the device isoriented differently.

In use, the needle assembly 14 is located relative to the body portion18 such that the end 51 of the needle 50 protrudes forwardly of the bodyend 20 and the forward-most portion of the guard members 38. The rearend 52 of the needle within the sheath 60 protrudes into the interior ofthe body portion 18. At this stage the fluid receptacle 16 is notattached to the device 10.

The device is positioned on a patient's skin such that the guidesurfaces 40 rest on the skin surface close to the injection site. Theside walls 30, 32 of the grip portion 28 are gripped between the thumband one or more fingers of the user. The device is slid forward a smalldistance, in the region of 2-3 mm, such that the tip 51 of the needlepierces the skin at the desired angle of approximately 15°.

The tip of the needle may thus enter a blood vessel. In this position,the device is steady on the user's skin since it is supported by theguide surfaces 40.

The fluid receptacle 6 is then inserted into the body portion 18 in adirection which is generally parallel with the axis 62 such that therear end 52 of the needle pierces the bung 48. The entry of the needleend 52 into the bung 48 causes the sheath 60 to be retracted over theneedle 50. The end 52 of the needle is therefore exposed once the needlehas pierced through the bung 48 so as to allow fluid communicationbetween the needle end 51 located in a blood vessel and the inside ofthe tube 16 via the opposing end 52 of the needle. The materialproperties of the bung 48 mean that the bung seals about the needle 50therein.

The negative pressure in the tube 16 draws fluid from the blood vesselinto the tube via the needle 50. Once sufficient fluid has been drawninto the tube to negate the pressure differential between the tube andthe patient's blood vessel, the tube 16 can be withdrawn from the rearend of the holder 12. Further tubes can be attached in sequence, ifnecessary, to draw more fluid and subsequently removed as describedabove. As described above, positively pressurised tubes 16 may also beused with the device 10. It is possible that, after blood has been drawnusing tube 16, a fluid could be administered to a patient by removingthe tube 16 and replacing it with a fluid-filled receptacle withoutremoving the needle holder.

During the above process, the grip portion 28 can be stably and reliablyheld by a user, such as a phlebotomist, such that the device 10 is notprone to unwanted movement. In the event that it is necessary toreposition the needle, accurate adjustments can be made by sliding theneedle holder back and/or forth on the guide surfaces 40 such that thedesired angle of insertion of the needle 50 is maintained.

Once sufficient fluid has been drawn, the needle holder 12 is then slidin a rearward direction on the guide surfaces 40 until the end 51 ofneedle 50 is removed from the patient's skin. The device 10 can then belifted off the patient entirely.

Further embodiments of the invention are described below with referenceto FIGS. 3 to 8. Those embodiments are similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2 described above and like features are not repeated forconciseness. Accordingly, the above description applies to theembodiments of FIGS. 3 to 8, save for the alternative or conflictingfeatures described below.

In FIGS. 3 to 6, the needle holder 12 has a body portion 18A which isnot integral with the grip portion 28A. That is to say, the body 18A andgrip 28A portions take the form of separate components which fittogether for use.

The side walls 30A and 32A each have an opening in the form of a port 64which is generally circular in plan. The side walls 30A and 32A in thevicinity of the ports 64 are spaced by a distance which is approximatelyequal to the diameter of the body portion 18A. The side walls 30A and32A are each spaced from their associated guard member 38A by asubstantially V-shaped cut out. The port 64 is located at or adjacentthe apex of the V-shaped cut-out.

Either, or both, side walls 30A, 32A of the grip portion 28A have alatch formation therein. In this embodiment, the latch formation takesthe form of an indentation 66 within the side wall. The indentation 66is located in a rearward facing edge of the V-shaped cut-out.

The body portion 18A has a pair of projections towards it front end andpositioned on opposing sides thereof. The projections are aligned andtake the form of pivot members 68. The pivot members 68 are arranged forlocation within the ports 64 of the grip portion when assembled for use.

The body formation18A has a latch formation 70, which is arranged forcooperation with the corresponding latch formation 66 in the gripportion. A pair of latch formations 70 may be provided on opposing sidesof the body 18A. In this embodiment, the latch formation takes the formof a projection having a ramped surface and a blunt end.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the device of FIGS. 3 and 4 in different conditions.In FIG. 3 the device is arranged in a first, or in-use, condition. Thepivots 68 of the body 18A are located in the ports 64 of the gripportion. In this condition the grip portion is substantially upstandingform the body portion in a manner as described above in relation toFIGS. 1 and 2. The body and grip portions are held in this condition bythe engagement of the latching projections 70 in the indentations 66 ofthe grip portion. The projection 70 and indentations are shaped so as toengage in a click-fit or friction fit type of engagement. This conditionis used for the positioning and insertion of the needle into a patient.

Once the device has been removed from the patient, the device can be‘made safe’ by pivoting the grip portion forward, in the direction ofarrow A, out of engagement with the latching formation 70. This requiresapplication of a force sufficient to disengage the latching engagementbetween the protection 70 and indentation 66. The continued pivotingactuation of the grip portion 28A in the direction of arrow A causes theguard members 38A to ride up and over the ramped surface of theprojections 70. At the same time, the side walls 30A and 32A are broughtover the needle 50 such that the needle is covered by the grip portion28A as shown in FIG. 6.

The condition shown in FIG. 6 represents a storage or disposal conditionof the device. The grip portion is generally aligned with the deviceaxis 62. In this condition the needle is held within the interior of thegrip portion 28A such that the needle 50, and in particular the needleend 51, is not exposed. This greatly reduces the likelihood of theneedle accidentally puncturing the skin of anyone subsequently handlingthe device or a receptacle in which the device is located.

Once the guard members 38 have passed over the projection 70, they areprevented from actuation in a return direction by abutment of the guidesurfaces 40 against a bluff side of the projection 70. This arrangementmay be considered to provide for a non-return or single use device whichis to be disposed of after it has been made safe as described above. Inthis regard, the connection between the latch projection 70 and theindentation 66 may be frangible.

Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown a further embodiment of theinvention. In FIG. 7 the features of this embodiment are shown inconjunction with a device as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However thisembodiment may also be used in conjunction with a device as shown inFIGS. 3 to 6.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the body portion 18B has a plurality of formations 72on its interior surface. Each formation 72 depends inwardly from thewall of the body portion 18B. The formations are elongate in form andsubstantially helically arranged. In this embodiment, each formation isa part helix.

The arrangement of helical formation is such that a tail end of oneformation overlaps with a leading end of an adjacent formation. Foursuch formations are provided in this embodiment. Whilst the arrangementof formations may be described as being threaded, it is to be understoodthat the formations differ from a conventional thread which is used forfastening male and female parts in that such a conventional arrangementtypically comprises a single, continuous thread. Also the formations 72of this embodiment are typically arranged at a greater angle to the axis62 than would be normal for a conventional screw thread.

The body portion 18B also differs from the body portion 18 of FIG. 1 inthat it comprises two sections, 74 and 76. Section 74 is a rearwardsection of greater diameter and section 74 is forward section having asmaller diameter. Section 74 encompasses the first end 20 of the bodyportion. Sections 74 and 76 are joined by an intermediate wall in theform of a circumferential rim. Sections 74 and 76 are typicallyintegrally formed by a moulding process.

The helical formations 72 are located in section 74. And depend inwardlyto an internal diameter which is equal to or slightly larger than thediameter of section 76.

The fluid receptacle 16A in this embodiment has corresponding formations78 formed on an outer surface of collar 44A. Four upstanding helicalformations 78 are provided and are angled to correspond to the shape offormations 72 in the body portion. However, whilst the formations 78 areelongate in form, each formation is shorter in length than theformations 72 such that the ends thereof do not overlap. The formations72 are equally spaced about the perimeter of the collar 44A.

The collar 44A has sections 80 and 82. Section 80 is larger in diameterand is rearward of section 82. The formations 78 are located on section80. Section 82 is located towards the end 43 of the fluid receptacle 16Ato be inserted in the body portion 18B in use. Section 82 is similar tothe collar 44 described above in relation to FIG. 2 and has axialsplines 46 about its perimeter.

In the upper, middle and lower views of FIG. 8, the fluid receptacle 16Aand body portion 18B are shown at different stages of use. In the upperview, the collar end of the fluid receptacle 16A has been inserted intothe end 52 of the needle 50 is just short of, or touching, the bung 48.The formations 72 and 78 are arranged such that this condition occursupon contact there-between.

The diameters of the formations 72 and 78 are such that the formationsinterfere and prevent further entry of the fluid receptacle 16A into thebody portion 18B by way of a simple axial pushing force. Instead,further actuation of the fluid receptacle 16A relative to the bodyportion 18B is achieved by rotation of the receptacle 16A. In thismanner, the formations 78 slide between the formations 72 and cause agradual, controlled axial actuation of the fluid receptacle 16A alongthe body portion 18B of the needle holder.

The end 52 of the needle 52 enters into the bung material 48 and startsto pass there-through. Further rotation of the fluid receptacle 16Acauses the needle end 52 to puncture the bung 48 such that the free endof the needle passes through the bung 48 and into the interior of thefluid receptacle.

The frictional engagement of the formations 78 within formations 72serves to resist and jerking action that would otherwise be experiencedupon puncturing the bung under the application of a linear pushingforce.

The different diameters of the body sections 74 and 76 allow the body18B to be used in conjunction with either conventional fluidreceptacles, such as receptacle 16 of FIGS. 2 and 4, or else with amodified receptacle 16A shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Accordingly, aconventional receptacle 16 can pass within the internal diameter of thehelical formations 72 without interference therewith, so as to engagewith the reduced diameter of section 76 in a linear manner.

The helical or threaded engagement between the receptacle collar and theneedle holder body provides for greater control of actuation of thefluid receptacle. The reverse, in this embodiment, anticlockwise,rotation of the fluid receptacle can be used to retract the collar fromthe formations 72, after which point the receptacle can be pulled out ofthe body 18B in a linear manner.

Whilst the features of FIGS. 7 and 8 have been described in relation toa body member having grip formation 28 and guard members 38, it will beappreciated that the actuation formations described in FIGS. 7 and 8rely on the internal geometry of the body member and could be applied toa body member which excludes the grip portion 28 or 28A and/or guardmembers and/or other external features of the body member, as shown inFIG. 8.

The features of any one of the embodiments described above should beconsidered to be applicable to any other embodiment whereverpracticable.

Furthermore, whilst the embodiments above have been described inrelation to phlebotomy applications for humans, it will be appreciatedthat the embodiments could also be used in veterinarian applications.The above devices are particularly adapted for the drawing of blood butmay potentially be used for the drawing of other fluids from the bodyand/or the delivery of fluid to a blood, or other, vessel.

1. A medical needle holder having: a generally hollow body which extendsin the direction of an axis from a first end to a second end, the firstend being shaped for reception of a needle therein and the second endbeing open, wherein the axis is substantially aligned in use with aneedle positioned in the first end of the body; and, a grip portionwhich extends outwardly from the body in a direction which is angularlyoffset from the first axis.
 2. A needle holder according to claim 1,wherein the grip portion is obliquely angled relative to the axis.
 3. Aneedle holder according to claim 1, wherein an angle subtended betweenthe axis and a leading edge of the grip portion is between 30° and 80°.4. A needle holder according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion isactuable relative to the body between a first condition in which thegrip portion extends outwardly of the body and a second condition inwhich the grip portion is disposed substantially forward of the firstend of the body.
 5. A needle holder according to claim 4, wherein thegrip portion covers a needle held by the needle holder in the secondcondition.
 6. A needle holder according to claim 4, wherein the gripportion has opposing side walls which protrude from the first end of thebody on either side of the axis in the second condition so as to atleast partially enclose a needle in the needle holder.
 7. A needleholder according to claim 4, wherein the grip portion is pivotablerelative to the body between the first and second conditions.
 8. Aneedle holder according to claim 4, wherein the needle holder comprisesa non-return mechanism to prevent movement from the second conditioninto the first condition.
 9. A needle holder according to claim 4,comprising a guard member integrally formed with the grip portion andactuable therewith, the guard member being obliquely angled relative tothe axis in the first condition and arranged to rest on a patient's skinso as to support the body at a desired angle in use.
 10. A needle holderaccording to claim 1, wherein the grip portion depends from the vicinityof the first end of the body and is angled towards the second end of thebody.
 11. A needle holder according to claim 1, wherein the grip portionhas one or more grip formations facing towards the first end of thebody.
 12. A needle holder according to claim 1, wherein the grip portioncomprises opposing side walls which depend from either side of the bodyportion.
 13. A needle holder according to claim 1, comprising a guardmember which protrudes beyond the first end of the body and has a guidesurface adapted to rest against a patient's skin in use, wherein theguide surface is angled relative to the axis.
 14. A needle holderaccording to claim 13, wherein the guide surface is offset from the axisby between 10° and 30°.
 15. A needle holder according to claim 13,wherein the grip portion comprises opposing side walls which depend fromeither side of the body portion and wherein each side wall of the gripportion is shaped to provide a guard member.
 16. A needle holderaccording to claim 1, comprising one or more control formations on aninward facing surface of the body, the control formations being shapedfor cooperation with one or more corresponding formations on a fluidreceptacle to be inserted into the body in use.
 17. A needle holderaccording to claim 16, wherein the control formation is arrangedobliquely to the axis so as to limit the degree of axial movementavailable to the fluid receptacle within the body.
 18. A needle holderaccording to claim 16, wherein the control formation is substantiallyhelical in shape.
 19. A needle holder according to claim 16 comprising aplurality of elongate control formations arranged about the axis suchthat a leading edge of one formation overlaps a trailing edge of anadjacent formation.
 20. A needle device comprising a needle holderaccording to claim 1 and a needle assembly attached to the needle holderpart way along its length such that the needle extends substantially inthe direction of the axis from a free end which is outside of the bodyto an opposing end which is in the interior of the body.